While trying to conceive, you might wonder if there’s any way to know if you’re actually pregnant besides waiting for a positive pregnancy test or your next period. Fortunately, there are some signs and symptoms such as bleeding, basal body temperature dip, and symptoms similar to PMS that may give you a hint to knowing if implantation has occurred or not.

When does implantation happen?

Implantation occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, or usually about 6-10 days past ovulation (DPO).

It’s good to know the signs and symptoms of implantation because it occurs before a pregnancy test shows a positive reading. This is because pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at a minimum level of 25 mIU/mL, which the body produces around 12-15 DPO.

3 common early signs of pregnancy are bleeding, basal body temperature dip, and symptoms similar to PMS.

1. Implantation bleeding

Another sign that you are pregnant may have occurred is light bleeding or spotting that is typically light pink or brown in color. It is lighter than your typical period and is combined with cervical mucus, lasting around 1-2 days. It typically occurs 6-10 DPO and may occur a bit earlier than when your period would typically begin.

Implantation bleeding is caused by the embryo embedding itself into the lining of your uterus, which may cause a small number of blood vessels in your uterine lining to rupture.

Sometimes, the bleeding may be mistaken for a light period, so it’s important to know the difference.

2. Implantation dip

One sign of early pregnancy is a dip in your basal body temperature, known as an implantation dip. If you’re not sure what BBT is and indicates, here is a quick explanation:

BBT tracking is a method of ovulation tracking. Your BBT is your body’s temperature at rest and can be altered by both internal and external changes. It should be taken immediately after waking up with a thermometer meant to take BBTs to achieve the most accurate temperatures.

If you take your BBT regularly, you might notice a temperature dip by a few tenths of a degree on the day you implant (6-10 DPO). It only lasts for one day so your temperature reading will likely go back up the next day. The cause of this 24-hour dip is attributed to estrogen, which lowers body temperatures. Don’t get worried if you don’t observe this dip – it’s very common to not have an implantation dip and still be pregnant. Only a small percentage of women actually experience the implantation dip.

3. Other early pregnancy symptoms

Other early pregnancy symptoms may be similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), or the symptoms you might feel before your period. These symptoms may include implantation cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, irritability, and morning sickness including nausea. These are caused by progesterone which is dominant in the second half of your cycle but also common in early pregnancy.

As you can see, your body gives you many different clues that implantation has occurred if you’re paying close attention. However, many relevant symptoms can also be found in a normal period without conception, in fact, many women do not observe any of the above implantation signs and still go on to receive a positive pregnancy only days later. The best way to know you are pregnant is to wait 12-14 days after your ovulation date to take a pregnancy test.

If you are 6-12 days past ovulation and wondering what your symptoms mean, consider heading over to “Ask An Expert” in the Premom app to have a fertility expert take a look at your chart and the symptoms you’re experiencing.

References

About Dr. Patti Haebe, NMD

Dr. Patti Haebe is the Senior Medical Advisor at Premom Fertility and specializes in preconception care, hormone optimization and integrative fertility. Dr. Haebe received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the Sonoran University of Health Sciences and holds a Bachelor's degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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